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"But that is high-treason!" exclaimed Elizabeth "Ah, I had cause to

tremble and eternally to stand in fear ofaroundme on all sides, to destroy me!

Lestocq, save uish the e convulsively to the arm of

her physician

"The incautiousness of these conspirators has already saved you,

empress," said Lestocq "They have delivered themselves into our hand,

they have made us masters of the situation What would you more? You

will punish the traitors; that is all!"

"And I cannot kill them!" shrieked Elizabeth, with closed fists "I have

tied enerosity! Ah, they call me an empress,

and yet I cannot destroy those I hate!"

"And who denies you that right?" asked Lestocq "Destroy their bodies,

but kill them not! Wherefore have we the knout, if it cannot flay the

back of a beauty?"

"Yes, wherefore have we the knout?" exclaih "Ah, Lestocq, you are an exquisite ood

advice Ah, this beautiful Countess Eleonore shall be ht for it," said Lestocq, "for she has dared to

speak of your e!"

"Has she done that?" cried Elizabeth "Ah, I alht to chastise her Lestocq, what punishment is

prescribed for a subject who dares revile his empress? You must know

it, you are familiar with the laws! Therefore tell me quickly, what